Relaxed Denim Shorts Are the Silhouette of the Summer—Starting With These 25 Pairs
I'll admit it: I avoided denim shorts for nearly a decade and would go so far as to say I was a bona fide hater. In my defense, the short cutoffs with low rises à la American Eagle were the only style option I had for many years, and if it wasn't already obvious, I'm not exactly a big fan of skintight denim shorts and actively avoided wearing them. All that is to say I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief now that relaxed styles are becoming a thing. While those tighter fits are still out there, its becoming increasingly easier to find looser-fitting shapes and shorts with more forgiving leg-opening measurements. (A good measure of thumb is roughly around 25 inches or higher for looser fits and around 21 inches or lower for tighter styles.)
Relaxed shorts are just so much easier to wear and the more comfortable option, but now, they've become the trendy way to wear denim shorts too. If you're on board with the relaxed look or are interested in testing the waters this season, I've pulled together my edit of the best relaxed denim shorts on the market, from a top-rated Levi's style to cool minimalistic Bermudas. Since outfit curations are one of my favorite hobbies, I've included several styling ideas to inspire your outfit choices along the way.
These one of J.Crew's top-rated shorts styles, and I can see why.
I always look for how roomy shorts are in the leg, and this Mango pair looks like the perfect relaxed fit.
Shocking no one, Levi's is behind one of the summer's most in-demand denim shorts.
I love how these hit at a cool mid-length that's elevated and ultra-wearable.
These fall just above the knees for a sleek, minimalistic feel. Net-a-Porter suggests pairing these with strappy sandals, and I couldn't agree more.
You'll wear these so frequently the cost per wear will be virtually nonexistent.
Madewell has perfected its '90s jeans, so it should come as no surprise that the brand has also mastered relaxed denim shorts.
These are a great stepping stone between regular denim shorts and relaxed fits.
Mother never disappoints when it comes to denim.
The combination of this silhouette and wash is perfection to me.
These top-rated shorts come in three staple washes.
I love how these relaxed shorts are styled with a button-down for a hint of polish.
This mid-length is great when you're not in the mood for revealing short-shorts.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Anna is an editor on the fashion team atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews withBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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